Gumpoldskirchen Castle

The large building complex of the Teutonic Order Castle is located on the site of a Babenberg castle-church complex, whose church dates from the 11th or 12th century. In 1241, the last Babenberg Duke, Frederick II the Quarrelsome, gifted the small fortified building to the Teutonic Order. The small castle was handed over to the Wiener Neustadt Commandery, founded in 1245. During the Turkish invasion of 1529, the so-called German House was burned down. Afterwards, the fortifications were rebuilt and expanded. In 1683, the Turks again devastated the Order Castle, which was subsequently restored.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the Landkomtur Count Alois von Harrach had major alterations made to the castle. In 1930, extensive renovations took place, as the central novitiate of the now exclusively spiritual order was established here. From 1934 to 1938, the former Grand Master and Deutschmeister Archduke Eugen lived here. Immediately after the annexation of Austria to the German Reich, the Order was dispossessed. It now served as the "First Reich Winery" and a research institute for viticulture. In 1945, the Order received its castle back, but the Commandery was moved to Vienna.

After the closure of the nursing home run here by Teutonic Order Sisters in 1988, the castle stood empty for 12 years and was neglected. In 1999, it was extensively restored. Since then, it has served as the convent house of the Teutonic Order, Province of Austria. It is also the seat of the Austrian Military Bishop. A part of the rooms is available as a guesthouse for holding seminars.